PSA Calls For Safety Audit In Wake Of ACC Killing

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-PSA

PSA CALLS FOR SAFETY AUDIT IN WAKE OF ACC KILLING

PSA president Kathy Higgins today said the PSA is calling for a safety audit of government departments and agencies which deal directly with the public. "It is perhaps surprising that violent incidents like yesterdays ACC killing are not more common," she said in response to the stabbing to death of ACC case worker Janet Pike in Auckland.

"The government must review safety procedures where its employees are dealing directly with the public, and recognise the down stream effect its policies are having on the work of front-line public servants," she said.

"Government employees are increasingly at risk of violent attack, and verbal abuse because they are administering unfair and unpopular policies put in place by this government," said Ms Higgins.

"Government `get tough' policies toward beneficiaries, ACC claimants, tax payers and others make some people frustrated and angry beyond reason."

Ms Higgins says she and the PSA offer their sincere sympathy to Janet Pike's family, friends, and co-workers. "Many government employees will be jumpy after this attack. Let's learn from the Janet Pike tragedy and do something positive before someone else gets killed."

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE PSA

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